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Four Hidden Injuries After a Car Accident

Car accidents are traumatic. They happen suddenly and unexpectedly, and they cause very serious injuries. Some injuries, such as facial injuries, deep lacerations, and broken bones are obvious. Other injuries, though, are not always so apparent. During a crash, your body will try to protect you from some of the trauma of the accident. Although this can help you keep a clear head so you can take the appropriate next steps, it may also mean that some injuries remain hidden, meaning they can also be overlooked. If you have been hurt in a crash, below are four hidden injuries you may have sustained, and that you may deserve compensation for.

Whiplash

Car accidents are very forceful events. When two cars collide, the impact is often enough to result in the body jerking violently, which often causes whiplash. Whiplash occurs when the neck moves rapidly back and forth, which can cause damage to the bones in the neck, discs in the spine, nerves, and soft tissues, such as muscles and ligaments. Whiplash is most commonly seen after a rear-end accident, but a person can sustain this injury during any type of crash, even one that happens at a slow speed. Some people notice whiplash symptoms right away, while others do not experience any for 24 hours or more after an accident.

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs)

Any traumatic brain injury (TBI) can remain hidden for some time after a crash. Of all of them, though, concussions are by far the most common. People think they did not sustain a concussion because they did not lose consciousness. A concussion does not always result in a loss of consciousness, though. If left undiagnosed, even a mild concussion can cause long-term cognitive problems for accident victims.

Soft Tissue Injuries

Injuries to the ligaments, tendons, and muscles, a group referred to as the soft tissues in the body, are very common. They also often go unnoticed. Accident victims who break bones are most susceptible to soft tissue injuries. These tissues surround the bones and can become torn or otherwise damaged by the broken bone. Even when a bone has not broken, an accident victim can still incur a soft tissue injury that requires extensive physical therapy, and sometimes surgery.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

According to a recent study, over 22 percent of car accident victims experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a crash. While that statistic is high, it is not surprising. By their very nature, car accidents are traumatic and they cause victims an immense amount of stress. In cases where a person develops PTSD, they may have nightmares or flashbacks about the accident, and they may withdraw from the activities and people they once loved. PTSD is a mental injury, but it is an injury nonetheless and victims deserve compensation for it.

Our Car Accident Lawyers in Miami Can Help You Recover from Injury

Not all injuries are apparent after a crash, which is one reason it is so imperative to seek medical attention, even if you do not think you were hurt. At Dolan Dobrinsky Rosenblum Bluestein, our Miami car accident lawyers can advise on the legal aspects of your injury and help you claim the full compensation that is justly yours. Call us now at 786-504-7842 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation.